Submitted by VHS Nordic Ski Team Coach
Fairbanks, AK
The Valdez High School Nordic Ski Team, made the trip to compete in the Region VI XC Skiing Championships held in Fairbanks this past weekend. Beyond the weekends intense individual and relay races, the team seized the opportunity to visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks for a tour of the T3 Makerspace facility and its collaborative programs.
UAF graciously hosted the tour, providing our team with hands-on experience at the Makerspace Club. Engaging in activities involving 3D printing and innovative design, the skiers gained insight into the program’s essence and early pathways for involvement. It proved to be an enjoyable, and enlightening experience for our athletes as they think about the future.
The first day of races unfolded at Birch Hill on Friday afternoon, featuring a demanding individual 7.5k mass start Classic race. With significant elevation changes and technical descents, the course presented a formidable challenge. The boys’ event kicked off with nine Buccaneers boldly tackling the course. Starting strong, they adeptly navigated the mass start and settled into a steady rhythm. The racecourse, with its climbs to Birch Hill’s highest points and exhilarating descents along trails like “Medevac” and “Roller Coaster,” tested their skills, techniques, and endurance. Each skier showcased remarkable improvement from our previous 7.5k Classic race. Notably, Rafe Caruthers, after six years of unwavering dedication, clinched an impressive 8th place overall, earning recognition as one of the top 10 skiers and a well-deserved medal—a feat not achieved by a Valdez boys’ skier in many years. Congratulations, Rafe! The Buccaneers’ success continued with promising performances from the emerging Sophomore class, with Gabe Caruthers securing 17th place and James Humphrey closely trailing in 21st. Junior Ezekiel James bolstered the team’s standing by claiming 29th place. Combining the times of our top four fastest skiers, the boys secured an outstanding 3rd place overall in the team competition!
In the subsequent girls’ race, which started at 4 pm, the conditions shifted as daylight waned and temperatures dropped. Two Buccaneer girls, Morgan Hamilton and first-year skier Hailey Major, tackled the grueling 7.5k course, both setting personal bests and establishing new benchmarks for themselves.
Day two featured an exhilarating sprint 4x3K skate relay. The girls led the charge, with Morgan Hamilton leading off the relay, followed by Hailey Major. Senior Kassidy Ferguson’s remarkable progress from novice to race participant within a single season was truly an accomplishment. Additionally, freshman Aysiri Shuijones showcased her prowess in her favored technique in her debut high school regions race.
The boys’ team fielded two relay teams this year. The Valdez B relay, comprising first-year skier and Sophomore Braiden Williams, followed by Sophomore Oliver Ownby, Junior Alex Aldrich, and anchored by Sophomore Erik Vincent, delivered strong performances and had fun while doing it, securing a respectable 9th place among all relay teams. The Valdez A relay, featuring James Humphrey, Gabe Caruthers, Ezekiel James, and Rafe Caruthers, replicated their success from the individual races, clinching a spot on the podium with 3rd place in the relay event. Freshman Jaymyn James, though not part of the relays, showcased his determination by joining forces with the Glennallen team and delivering an impressive performance in his first relay race.
Overall, it was a great weekend of racing by the Buccaneer skiers! Next stop: the state competition in Anchorage, scheduled in two weekends’ time.
GO BUCS!
